Means for supporting and equilibrating lamp shades



June 23, 1931. J BQLLING 1,811,683

MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND EQUILIBRATING LAMP SHADES Filed March 8, 1930 Patented June 23, 1931 PATENT OFFICE Jenn Esme IBOLLING, or mouurammaxas. NEW JERSEY MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AN D EQUILIIBRATING'LAMP SHADES My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference bein had; to the accompanying drawings, Whi illustrates one embodiment of the same, selected 15 by me for purposes of illustration, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims. 7

n the use of lamp shades for incandescent K electric lamps which are supported by the lamp bulb, it has been and is customary to provide the lamp shade with a pair of wire loops rigidly attached thereto, for frictionally engaging the lamp bulb. The'smooth exterior wall of the lamp bulb offers only the slightest frictional resistance to the metal attaching loops at the points of contact therewith. Any force, however slight, applied to the shade itself is transmitted tothe attaching loops at greatly increased leverage, and while the friction of the loops may be sulficient to temporarily support the shade in any position to which it is adjusted, thead justed position of the shade is continually being altered in practice, as by occasional drafts of air through the room, accidental contact with the shade, or the l-amp'body or su port, and sometimes the passageof indivic uals through the room will be sufficient to jar these shades out of their adjusted positions This is pecially tr as no attempt has heretofore been made so far as" I am aware to equilibrate the type of lamp shades referred to and they are frequently heavier on one side, as where the joiningsof'the wire frames occur, than they are at other points. As this type of lamp is extremely popular, a and as a considerable number of them are frequently usedin a single room by reason of the artistic effect of the lighting so produced, the continual shifting of the shades destroys the harmonious decoration of the room and necessitates continual care and at tention to keep all 'of the shades in their proper adjusted position. The effect is particularly annoyingwhere, as frequently happens, two or more lamps aremounted on a single standard or support, or, where lamps of this character are employed at symmetrical points in'the room requiring uniformity in the positions ofthe shade.

i V V Application filed ltaroh 8, 1980. Serial No. 484,224.

My invention has for its object to provide simple means for supporting and equilibrating lamp shades applied to the standard electric bulbs in any type of electric fixture in which saidshades may beused, so that after they are placed in position, they will at once assume a true position with their axes vertical, and if they are moved out of such position, will immediately return thereto with; out any further attention.

In the accompanying drawings, which illusvtrates several embodiments of my invention, I have shown various forms by which the invention may be carried out by the manufacturer in the original construction of the lamp shades, and I have also shown my invention embodied in meanswhereby it may be applied to the lamp shades of the type described'at present in" use.

Referringzto the said drawings,

Fig/1' is a partial view of a lamp and shade showing my invention 1 applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a detail, sectional view of the parts constituting the shade supporting means illustrating a slight modification.

Fig. 3; is a perspective View of a detachable weight which may be employed in securing the equilibration of the shade.

Fig; 4 is a sectional View of the'same.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a so slightly modified form of detachable weight.

Fig. 6 is a view of the upper portion of alamp shade as now manufactured, illustrating'one methodof applying my invention thereto.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view, partly in sec tion, showing the clip illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is'a partial view of the upper portion of a shade of different style as now manufactured, andillustrating a different form of clip for'use in applying my invention thereto.

Fig. 9 is a sectionalview of the clip and adj acent parts shown in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 1, which illustrates an embodiment of my invention in'conneotion with a specially constructed shade, 1, represents the lamp body, which may be supported in any usual or desired manner, in this instance by the bracket, 2, and standard, 8. 4, representsthe usual standard electriclighting bulb. In carrying out my present invention 1 provide a detachable shade supporting device for engaging the bulb which has no direct or positive connection with the shade which it supports. In Fig. 1, for example, I have shown a segmental. or concavo-convex plate or lamp cap, indicated at 5, which is provided with suitable means for detachably securing it to the lamp bulb. In the present instance, the said plate or cap, 5, is shown provided with a pair of spring loops, indicated at 6, 6, adapted to frictionally engage the lamp bulb and hold the plate firmly directly over the top of the lamp. The plate or cap, 5, is provided preferably with a centrally located depression or socket, indicated at 7, to receive a centrally located projection carried by the upper portion of the frame or lamp shade. The lamp shade itself is indicated at 8, and isprovided with the usual wire frame, which includes the lower horizontal ring, 9, the upper horizontal ring, 10, and the usual connecting bars, indicated at 11. In this instance the upper ring, 10, of the shade is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed inwardly extending arms, 12, 12, to which is secured, as by soldering, brazing or otherwise, a pivot plate, 13, provided with a downwardly extending projection, 14, coaxial with the vertical. axis of the shade and adapted to enter the recess, 7, in the lamp cap, 5. This projection, 14, may be and preferably will be formed by indenting the metal of the plate, 13, downwardly as indicated in the drawings. The diameter of the pivot plate, 13, may be varied. In many instances it is not desired that the light shall be thrown from the lamp direct.y upon the ceiling, and the plate, 13, may be made of suflicient size to practically precludeany direct rays from the lamp filament reaching the ceiling by making the plate nearly or of the same diameter as the upper frame ring, 10, while, if it is desired to have a considerable portion of the light strike the ceiling, the plate, 13, may be made of correspondingly small diameter, as indicated for example, in Fig. 2.

It would be extremely ditlicult and add greatly to the cost of these lamp shades if they were to be constructed with special reference to securing such an exact balance of the shade when supported in the manner indi cated, that its longitudinal axis should remain vertical and the top and bottom ring in horizontal position. I therefore provide detachable weights, forms of which are illustrated in Figs. 8, 4: and 5, which may be applied at one, two, three or four more points around the lower ring, 9, and adjusted so as to perfectly equilibrate the shade with respect to the single support therefor provided by the engagement of the projection, 14!, with the lamp cap. For example, in Figs. 3 and 4- I have illustrated a small weight, 15, of lead or other suitable material, provided with a spring clip of sheet metal, indicated at 16, united thereto. The connection between the weight and the clip may be conveniently formed by providing struck-up projections, indicated at 17 on the clip, 16, as shown in Fig. 4, and casting the weight, 15, thereon.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified form of weight at a, which is in the form of a curved bar provided with kerfs or incisions, indicated at 15?), for the purpose of enabling portions of the weight to be broken off with the fingers, to assist in securing the exact equilibration of the lamp shade.

It will be seen that by my invention, the lamp cap, which is frictionally attached to the bulb of the lamp, is entirely divorced from any positive connection with the lamp shade, and this cap will readily maintain at all times its position on the lamp bulb, as the swing of the shade from any cause will have no tendency to move the cap with respect to the bulb. Furthermore, as the lamp shade is accurately balanced so as to be supported by the engagement of the point, 14, in the depression, 7, of the plate or cap, 5, it will instantly right itself after any movement out of its true position, which may be caused in any manner.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated a slight modification in which the plate, 1301, which carries the depending supporting point, 14a, andis connected to the horizontal bars, 12a, of the shade, is made of comparatively small diameter, and the bulb cap or plate, indicated at 5a, is provided with downwardly extending portions, 5?), to serve the function of preventing direct rays from the filament being delivered to the ceiling. The lateral portions of the plate are shown as approximately following the outline of the bulb, but this is not essential.

Where it is desired to support lamp shades at present in use, I propose to provide the bulb cap and its attaching loops or other means constructed as before described, and to provide clips carrying the shade support ing point which may be applied by anyone by the aid of a pair of pliers to the existing lamp shades. In Figs. 6 and 7, for example, I have shown such a clip to be attached to the central portion of a cross-wire, which is provided in many shades, and from the center of which bulb engaging loops depend. Such a shade is indicated at 108, in Fig. 6, having the cross-bar, 112, from which the loops (not shown) have been severed. 113 represents a metal clip having a trough-like shape, as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, and having the bottom portion provided with the downwardly projecting points, indicated at 114. This clip may be placed around the erossuvires, in the manner shown, and rigidly secured by bending the end portions together, as indicated in Fig. 6, with a pair of pliers. The shade can then be placed in engagement with the bulb cap, and the weights, 15 or 15a, can

be secured to the lower portions of the shade around the lower ring thereof, in the manner previously described, until perfect equilibration of the shade is secured, after which it will need no further attention.

Many of the shades now in use, instead of having the cross-bar, 112, are provided with a plurality of radial arms, as indicated at 212, in Fig. 8, secured to a central collar, 220, which is intended to be placed over a threaded support, independent of the lamp bulb, and rigidly secured thereto by a nut, in a well known way. I have, therefore, provided the special form of clip, illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, for adapting my invention to this type of existing shade. In this instance, the'clip comprises a circular plate, 213, having the depressed point, 214, located centrally with respect thereto, the said plate being provided at a plurality of points corresponding with the positions of the radial arms, 212, of the lamp shade, that is at intervals of 120 around the center, with flexible abutment portions, indicated at 221, which can be readily bent or clamped around the radial wires, 212, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, so as to attach the plates, 213, rigidly thereto, with the point, 214, substantially centrally located with respect to the shade. The shade is indicated at 208, and it will be understood that after the clip, 213, has been attached in the manner described, the shade will be placed upon one of the bulb caps, as 5 or 5a, previously described, with the point, 214, in engagement with the depression or recess, 7 and the equilibration of the shade will be effected by'attaching one or more of the weights, 15 or 15a, at proper intervals around the lower ring of the frame in the manner previously described.

It will be understood that in attaching the supporting clips to existing shades, it is not necessary to accurately locate the center point, 114 or 214,0f the clip with respect to the center of gravity of the shade, as any slight inaccuracy in the placing of the clips which would probably exist in all cases where this was done by hand and without special apparatus will be usually compensated for by properly distributing the detachable weights around the lower edge of the shade.

It will be understood that my invention contemplates the manufacture of shades provided with the supporting pivot plate and accompanied by the lamp cap to be engaged thereby, the lamp shade being equilibrated at the time of manufacture by the use of suitable weights applied thereto in any manner. My invention also contemplates the manufacture and sale of the bulb cap with clips provided with the projecting pivot points, as

114 or 214, and a plurality of the readily. detachable weights for the purpose of carry-.

ing out my invention in connection with any ordinary lamp shade as now or hereafter manufactured.

' What-I claim and-desire to secure by Let'- ters" Patent is c 1. Means for supporting and equilibrating .lampshades, comprising pivotal supporting the shade with respect thereto; and equilibrating means permitting lateral swinging of located depression therein, and a supporting part secured to the upper part of a shade,

and provided with a depending pivot point located coaXially thereof, and detachable weights provided with detachable securing means for engaging the shade at points around the lower. edge thereof.

3. Means for supporting and equilibrating lamp shades, comprising a bulb cap provided with means for frictionally engaging a lamp bulb, and a supporting plate provided with readily bendable portions for engaging radially disposed wires at the upper end of a shade, said bulb cap and plate having, the one a point, to engage a point receiving depression in the other, and weights provided with clips for detachably engaging the shade adjacent to its lower edge to equilibrate the same.

4. Means for supporting and equilibrating lamp shades, comprising a bulb cap provided with means for frictionally engaging a lamp bulb, a supporting device secured to the shade, and having a part in free pivotal engagement with the lamp cap, one of said parts extending outwardly with respect to the lamp bulb to prevent the lamp rays from being thrown uponthe ceiling, and weights adapted to be secured to the shade adjacent to its lower edge to equilibrate it. 7

5. Means'for supporting and equilibrating lamp shades, comprising a bulb cap provided with an opaque plate extending over the top 1 of the bulb sufficiently to prevent light rays from reaching the ceiling, and loops secured thereto for frictionally engaging the bulb, said plate having its central portion provided with a point receiving depression, a supporting plate provided with a depending point for' engaging said depression, and adapted to be secured to the upper portion of a lamp shade, and detachable weights having clips for engaging the lower portion of the shade, to equilibrate the same.

6., Means for supporting and equilibrating lamp shades, comprising a bulb cap provided withmeans for frictionally engaging a lamp bulb, a supporting. device secured to the shade, and having a part in free pivotal engagement with the lamp cap, and detachable weights provided with means for attaching.

them to the lower portion of the shade to equilibrate it, said Weights having weakened portions to enable parts thereof to be readily broken OK, to facilitate the equilibration of the shade.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

' JOHN ESTEN BOLLING. 

